Mornington Peninsula wineries: Pt Leo Estate and Montalto unveil plans to reopen amid coronavirus restrictions
Popular Mornington Peninsula wineries are finalising details of how to reopen as lockdown restrictions ease next week. Limited dining is on the cards but there’s another crucial element of their business that they say is being ignored.
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Anxious winemakers are urging the State Government to set a date for cellar doors to be allowed to offer tastings.
The Mornington Peninsula Vignerons Association chief executive Olivia Barrie said while wineries could still sell wine via cellar doors, members were keen to resume tastings.
“There are a lot of cellar doors operating now with the winemakers behind counters answering questions about their wines,” Ms Barrie said.
“They are following the same guidelines set for any retailer. They just can’t open a bottle for tastings.”
A ban on serving alcohol on its own in Victoria remains in place.
Australian Grape and Wine, the national association of wine producers, has been issuing regular updates about what wineries can and can’t do in different states.
The latest Victorian update did not provide specific details on tastings at cellar doors but referred to premier Daniel Andrews’ recent announcement about restaurants, cafes and other hospitality businesses allowing them to welcome back 20 patrons at a time from June 1.
Ms Barrie said some vineyards have announced their plans to reopen their restaurants and cafes.
Peninsula wineries would normally be preparing for the region’s annual Winter Wine Weekend and expecting thousands of people to visit over the three day festival.
The event, due to be held June 6-9, was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Ms Barrie said discussions were underway to hold an event in November.
“It will look very different to what we normally have because it’s likely that there would still be restrictions around numbers at gatherings,” she said.
“The aim would be the same – to celebrate the region’s wine industry and encourage people to explore the Mornington Peninsula.”
Cellar door restrictions have eased in New South Wales, and South Australia to allow tastings.
Hinterland Tourism president Nelly Shaw said peninsula wineries were proceeding with “excitement, relief and caution” and looking to the Queen’s birthday long weekend and the June school holidays to bolster tourism numbers.
Meanwhile a handful of the Mornington Peninsula’s major players have started to release details about when they will resume service at their award-winning winery restaurants.
Point Leo Estate
Pt Leo Estate Restaurant will reopen on Monday, June 1 with an abbreviated menu of Phil Wood’s classic dishes. Bookings can be made for up to six guests with a strict cap of 20 people per sitting. The dining room and Laura will be open for lunch seven days and dinner on Thursday to Sunday. Larger gatherings of up to 20 guests can book the Wine Terrace. The cellar door (no tastings allowed) and sculpture park will also reopen on June 1.
Bookings: 5989 9011 or reservations@ptleoestate.com.au
Montalto Estate
Service at the restaurant, Piazza, Alto and Garden rooms will begin again on the weekend of June 6 and 7. All guests will be served a Feed Me menu at $49 a head. The service will be offered on Saturdays and Sundays only. Reservations are essential. Phone bookings are preferred on 5989 8412. The Sculpture Trail remains closed and the winter picnic sites are expected to reopen on June 20.
Ten Minutes by Tractor
The Red Hill restaurant is yet to announce the date it will re-open but is asking customers to email their preferred date and time for dining to reservations@tenminutesbytractor.com.au
Once a date has been confirmed staff will contact those on the waiting list to formalise bookings.
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